Our March Author of the Month: ANNE TYLER

ANNE TYLER was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941 and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is the author of more than twenty novels. Her twentieth novel, A Spool of Blue Thread, was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2015. Her eleventh novel, Breathing Lessons, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1989. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

French Braid is a major new novel from the beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning author — a freshly observed, funny, joyful, brilliantly perceptive journey deep into one family’s foibles, from the 1950s up to our pandemic present.

The Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever venture beyond Baltimore, but in some ways they have never been farther apart. Full of heartbreak and hilarity, French Braid is classic Anne Tyler: a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth and humour that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close — yet how unknowable — every family is to itself.

Our February Author of the Month: LOUISA MORGAN

Louisa Morgan is a pseudonym for award-winning author Louise Marley. She lives in the Pacific Northwest where she and her Border Terrier, Oscar, ramble the beaches and paths of Washington state. A Secret History of Witches was her first book under this pseudonym, followed by The Witch’s Kind, and The Age of Witches.

The Great Witch of Brittany returns to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchière and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her.

There hasn’t been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According to the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to the whims of superstitious villagers and the prejudices of fear mongering bishops. Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows is the false spells her mother weaves over the gullible women who visit their fortune-telling caravan. Everything changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future. Guided by an ancient grimoire and the whispers of her ancestors, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But first, the Orchière magical lineage must survive. And danger hovers over her, whether it’s the bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre.

Gift Ideas & Holiday Hours

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us at McNally Robinson Booksellers!

If you're still looking for last minute gift ideas, we recommend browsing our Books & Gifts of the Season catalogue. Look closely at the stock check beside each item to see what titles are on our shelves now, then hurry down to your nearest McNally Robinson store to grab them before Christmas. See below for our upcoming holiday hours.

There are also gift cards! You set the amount, give us the recipient's email address, then choose a date and time for when you'd like the e-gift card to be sent. Our gift card system has been upgraded and is now fully automated, so you can purchase and send gift cards online at anytime. Even if it's 10 PM on Christmas Eve and you realize you forgot to buy someone a gift, McNally Robinson e-gift cards are there for you...

Our upcoming holiday hours:

Winnipeg at The Forks: Dec. 24 open 10 AM - 5 PM // Dec. 25 closed // Dec. 26 open 10 AM - 7 PM

Winnipeg at Grant Park: Dec. 24 open 10 AM - 5 PM // Dec. 25 closed // Dec. 26 open 10 AM - 5 PM

Saskatoon: Dec. 24 open 10 AM - 5 PM // Dec. 25 closed // Dec. 26 open 11 AM - 5 PM

Happy holidays and happy reading! We wish you all the best in 2022!

Our 40th Anniversary

2021 marks the 40th anniversary of McNally Robinson Booksellers, as well as the 25th anniversary of our Grant Park store in Winnipeg!

In recognition of this, authors from around the world — all of whom we've had the pleasure of hosting for book launches and signings over the years — graciously reached out to send us virtual greetings and well wishes.

Thanks to all of the authors (and their publicists and publishers) who put those videos together. It warms our hearts to receive such kind words.

Due to the ongoing pandemic we are unable to host a proper anniversary party like we originally hoped, however instead we are celebrating the weekend of October 15-17, 2021 with special discounts and contests for customers! For all of the details on what we have planned, please see this page.

The anniversary discounts and contests are available in-store and online, so you may partake from wherever you are! Just make sure you visit us or submit your orders October 15-17 to receive the special discount and for a chance to win one of the prize packages.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported us these past 40 years. Like every business we've had our ups and downs over the years, and in particular 2020 was a hard time due to the pandemic, but it never ceases to amaze us how much passion for literature exists in our cities and across the Prairies, and how many of those passionate individuals come to us for all their bookish needs. Thank you for reading with us, and we hope to be your booksellers for at least another 40 years!

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